There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine.
And, dying, it rises above its own agony to outcarol the lark and the nightingale.
One superlative song, existence the price.
But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles.
For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain….
Or so says the legend.
— How much is this?
— Five Galleons.
— How much for me?
— Five Galleons.
— I'm your brother!
— Ten Galleons.
— Did you do it?
— Yes.
— What did it cost?
— ... Everything.
— If I told you to murder an infant girl, say, still at her mother's breast, would you do it without question?
— Without question? No. I'd ask, "How much?"
Warfare is nothing but a means of negotiation between states. Wars break out even when there is no hatred. Territory, resources, or interests that you are determined to own. Ideology, religion, pride. Wars are fought over those objectives all the time. Meaning that when those objectives are met, the war will end. That, or the war will end when the human cost outweighs the gains.
Experience keeps a dear school, but fools learn in no other.
Trust and respect are inseparable foundations of love, and without them it cannot exist; without respect, love has no value, and without trust, it has no joy.
(Trust and respect, these are the two inseparable pillars of love, without which she don't can consist; because without respect has the love no value and without trust no joy.)